2012 Fall Preview: Our 20 Most-Anticipated Films

After tackling both unpredictable comedy and hard-hitting drama in The Fighter, David O. Russell returns with this adaptation following a mental institution patient headed back home. With silly comedies like The Hangover and schlocky dramas like Limitless, Bradley Cooper has always been entertaining but this is a rare time when he’s given a meaty dramatic role. Alongside Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro, he certainly has the cast to back him up, and it should be fun to see if Chris Tucker still has it in his first non-Rush Hour role in fifteen years. – Jordan R.

9. The Impossible (Juan Antonio Bayona; Dec. 21st)

After displaying a superb knack for tension in The Orphanage, Juan Antonio Bayona is given a much larger playing field with this drama, following a family during the Southeast Asia 2004 tsunami. The theatrical trailer indicates a more sappy version then earlier looks provided, but regardless I’m looking forward to this Spanish director mixing grand emotion and taut thrills to hopefully great effect, with Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts leading. – Jordan R.

8. Argo (Ben Affleck; Oct. 12th)

As enthusiastic reviews surface out of the Telluride Film Festival, it’s hard not to be excited about Ben Affleck’s most recent directorial project. The first real hook is that the story is based on a true story in which six U.S. diplomats were rescued during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, in which the US and Canadian governments were able to convince the Iranian government that the hostages were actually members of a film crew. That crazy-but-true premise that combines both the CIA intrigue with Hollywood culture is carried by an impressive cast, including Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, and John Goodman. With a number of sources already predicting at least a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars for this one, mid-October just can’t seem to come fast enough. – Kristen C.

7. Skyfall (Sam Mendes; Nov. 9th)

There is a certain bias on my part, being in the minority who quite liked Quantum of Solace, but it’s becoming clear that Skyfall will be James Bond’s true return to form. Daniel Craig has already proven himself to be one of the best — or, in my humble opinion, the single finest — actors to ever portray Ian Fleming’s cold-hearted British agent, and I have little concern that Sam Mendes won’t bring this out even further. Our director makes this an all the more interesting prospect; his (sometimes painfully) obvious penchant for drama creates a certain imbalance in the Bond sphere that I can’t wait to see play out. And the movie has a big train! - Nick N.

6. Zero Dark Thirty (Kathryn Bigelow; Dec. 19th)

The most secretive film of the year will finally be unveiled this fall, while likely under the highest scrutiny possible. Returning after her Oscar wins for The Hurt Locker, Kathryn Bigelow is tackling the successful hunt for Osama bin Laden and while we all know how the story played out, this one is said to have some details the world wasn’t previously privy to. Add in the dynamic cast of Parks & Rec star Chris Patt, Carlos‘ Edgar Ramirez, the fantastic up-and-comers Jessica Chastain and Joel Edgerton, Mark Strong, Jennifer Ehle, Kyle Chandler and we’ve got ourselves one promising war thriller. – Jordan R.